It is January 16th, 2016 and I’ve organized another MeetUp activity
This time at the Bayernhof Museum
A museum full of wonderful musical devices many of which still work after so many years
Our group of ten people are all that’s on the tour today
Some I know and others are new to the group

As the docent talks, I look around at the marvels of the room
A bank of light switches behind the bar – possibly thirty or more
How could there be that many? What do they turn on?

Then we move into the main kitchen
The kitchen that has plate warmers, dual commercial deep fryers, and so much more
I hear a male voice behind me comment on how he’d like to have that kitchen to cook in
And I turn around and acknowledge “Me too!”As the tour continued, I found this same gentleman commenting on many things that I also found intriguing
I started to wonder “Who is this guy who seems to know what I’m thinking and says it out loud before I can?”

When we reached the room with the Calliope the docent turned it on
The music that gave me flashbacks to the carousel at the amusement park began to blare out its memorable tune
In my quest to get away from the loudness of the device, I found myself behind the Calliope admiring the inner workings
I am after all a geek at heart
Beside me I hear that same male voice from earlier talking about what we are looking at
It seems the two of us had another similar thought to figure out how it worked instead of being deafened by the loudness of it

Once the music had stopped and the group was gathered listening to the docent talk about the room we were in
I noted Robert, my buddy from behind the Calliope, against the wall
Just then, the docent pushed some hidden button and the wall behind Robert started to move
I rushed over and pulled him away so that he wouldn’t be injured by the door to the secret passageway
Not that there was much chance of him being injured, but I wasn’t taking chances on losing this interesting guy that I had just met

After the tour a few of the group decided to go for lunch
I was delighted that Robert would be joining us
As he pulled up in his car, much to my dismay I saw a Bernie Sanders 2016 bumper sticker
I sighed and said to myself “Oh well, I thought we would have so much in common – perhaps not”At lunch the conversation was lively and varied
Robert and I discussed everything from whiskey to guns and many topics in between
After lunch, we exchanged phone numbers and I hoped that I’d hear from him again

Robert called the very next day and I invited him to my house that afternoon
After whiskey and food and hours of conversation we parted and agreed we’d like to spend more time together

Four years have gone by since that day at the Bayernhof
We continue to explore the things we have in common that keep us together
While respecting the differences that make us unique
Both of us still geeks
Both of us still curious about how things work
Both of us laughing at things that others may find questionable

And as the reminder from Facebook pops up showing the photos from the Bayernhof four years ago today
I marvel at how quickly time goes by
And I’m thankful that I found a worthy companion while touring through an eccentric dead millionaire’s house full of musical devices

And when someone next asks how we met, I will tell them we met behind the Calliope